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Spotlight on Adwoa Darko, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (Behaviour & Culture Change)
7 March 2024
In the March 2024 issue of the EDI newsletter, we are spotlighting Adwoa (Adj) Darko, our Head of EDI (Behaviour & Culture Change). Find out more about Adj’s role, what drove her to work in EDI and what a perfect day for Adj looks like.
I have been at UCL since August 2023. My work focuses on fostering an inclusive and psychologically safe environment that is welcoming and celebrates the cultural diversity of our students and staff. Key to this is building an infrastructure for challenging bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct and other harmful behaviours.
Tell us about a project you are working on right now.
One exciting project I am working on right now is the Religion and Belief Equality Working Group to establish a Religion and Belief Equality Action Plan at UCL. At present, we are in the process of auditing our current provision, identifying potential gaps and best practice in the sector. I am looking forward to consulting with those with lived experience, especially those from marginalised communities, to further establish how we can better meet needs in this space.
Who/what inspired you to have the career you have today?
When I was an undergraduate student at SOAS, I had the most amazing Professor - Professor Fareda Banda. I had her for Law and Society in Africa and Family Law. I found her classes transformative; it was the first educational experience that made me feel seen. She made me truly question my worldview, I felt as if my lived experience was valid in an academic setting. I was never late to her classes! I still quote her at work on a weekly basis. I think I have stayed in Higher Education because I feel passionate about facilitating opportunities for marginalised people to have the same exciting and affirming educational experience I did. Moreover, I've been blessed to have acquired a personal board room of amazing women of colour working in HE, who advise me, uplift me, hold me accountable and sometimes tell me off! I owe my career to them.
What’s your secret talent that no one knows about?
I am a bit of an open book so I don't have any secret talents, but I used to DJ as a student, and hoping to start that up again this year. I also love event planning and coordination - I love planning parties, weddings etc for friends and family.
What are you currently reading or listening to?
My best friend bought me 'Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good' by adrienne maree brown for my birthday last month. brown explores the role of pleasure in creating social change, and exploring the idea of a world where joy, liberation, and justice are interlinked. I strongly believe that we should never lose sight of joy in EDI work, and brown's work powerfully conveys this.
I am always listening to Luther Vandross and Lionel Richie. Currently listening to a lot of Usher in preparation for his concert next year!
Describe what a perfect day outside of work looks like for you.
My perfect day would start at the spa and then brunch with the gals, preferably with accompanying R&B soundtrack and a chorizo based dish. Then I'd wander around TK Maxx/Homesense until closing time filling my basket with candles and quirky home bits. To close the day I'd have a games night with family and friends - we've really got into this game called 'Jollof Wars', which is essentially a West African themed 'Articulate'. It always descends into the best type of chaos.